“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” —————————————————————————————————————- This online Bible study series addresses primary New Testament words in their original language – Koinè Greek – as opposed to mainly using the English translations; which is like adding color to a black-and-white picture.

The Trilemma ~ Jesus was Either a Lunatic, a Liar, or Lord ~ The Tool ~ Apologetics ~ Part 2

Introduction
Part 1 of this series, “The Facts Concerning Christ ~ Apologetics ~ Part 1,” dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure.

Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, that of the disciples willingness to die rather than recant concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When considering the claims of Jesus Christ, there are only three considerations that are plausible, if not possible.

A Trilemma
In philosophy this is referred to as a “Trilemma,” either Christ was a lunatic, a liar, or who He said He was; the Lord.

It is these 3 considerations that we will examine further in part 2 of this series.

The Trilemma of Jesus Christ (#1) is a philosophic question used by apologist in presenting the deity of Jesus Christ.

A Trilemma is a situation presented in which three options are mandated with only one possible answer due to the logic of the presentation, normally speaking all three answers are equally unpleasant. The argument goes something like this:

If Jesus repeatedly and clearly defined Himself (I have capitalized pronouns concerning Christ, because I have already asked these questions and come to the conclusion that He is divine, the Son of God) as divine, the Divine Son of God, we are left with only three choices concerning the personage of Jesus Christ due to these claims.

Either He truly believed Himself to be divine, though He was human, which meant He was self-deceived in a manner which would commonly referred to as mentally disturbed, hence a lunatic.

Or, knowing that He was merely mortal, He was a liar, and due to the severity of the lie, wherein people gave up everything for Him, this was an evil man, or else He was correct in what He stated and was truly divine.

There are only three possible conclusions when the presentation is laid out thoroughly, wherein the establishment that Christ was a historical figure that did exist, His actions are referred to both in the Bible and secular sources, including statements wherein He claims divinity.

Once this groundwork is laid out, there are only three possible choices, and in the end only one conclusion concerning his true identity.

This argument, based upon logic is powerful when used with individuals who deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ, yet assert that He was a good and wise teacher.

The point being is that either He was who He says He was, the Divine Son of God, or He was evil; convincing people to give up their possessions, their freedom, and follow Him in His deception: believing that they were eternally secure, potentially missing out on worshiping the true deity rather than the false one that they were following.

Indicating that beyond the loss of temporal possessions, individuals potentially lost their souls and damnation by following a false prophet.

This would define Christ as not only a liar, and deceiver, but a wicked, wicked evil man.

Therefore, as a Christian would debate an unbeliever who would attempt to cushion their position by stating that Christ was a wise and good man, they would be forced into rejecting Him as evil – at his worst, a lunatic at his least – or who He says He was; the divine son of God.

And with this last consideration their only two choices, to surrender one’s life to the Lordship and salvation of Jesus Christ, or to openly and admittedly reject salvation.

The Intellectual Conundrum that this Argument CreatesThe first step in addressing this issue is the historical argument concerning the existence of the person of Jesus Christ and at the time and place which the Bible declares.

He Lived
This is the main basis for defeating the argument, the presentation that Jesus was simply a legend and never existed – this was addressed in Part 1 of this series.

His Character
The second basis for defeating the argument is an attack upon the character of Jesus, supporting the idea that He was an evil instigator of a rebellion against the Romans, and knowingly manipulated situations and events to make Himself appear to fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah in order to gain credibility in establishing is rebellion.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:12)

“They said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17 KJV)

This is the question that every man must deal with in his life: Who was Jesus?

The Philosophic 3 point presentation forces one into the only realistic consideration that Christ was who He says He was, the Divine Son of God.

The Apologist, in utilizing this tool, attempts to bring the person to the last consideration, that Jesus truly was who He says He was; leaving only 2 choices, to accept Christ or to reject Him.

This takes us to the place where it is only the Holy Spirit that has control of the situation.

Apologeticsare never meant to imply that one can be argued into the kingdom of heaven.

God will not violate the sovereignty of man, yet it is God’s drawing of man into His Kingdom wherein sight is gained, and servitude is volunteered; that a man becomes what he was destined from they founding of our world (Eph. 1:4), to be a child of God – a Believer – a follower of Christ – one that exercises faith in God and His only Begotten Son.

Endnote1. The Trilemma(a situation in which a choice has to be made among three possible courses of action, especially if the options are equally unpleasant)of the Divinity of Christ, is considered to have been originated by the American preacher Mark Hopkins (1802-1887) around 1844, concerning lectures that he presented, and published in his book “Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity,” in 1846. A few years later the Scottish preacher John “Rabbi” Duncan (1796-1870) used this same presentation in his sermons, arguing that “Christ either deceived mankind by conscious fraud, or He was Himself deluded and self-deceived, or He was Divine. There is no getting out of this trilemma. It is inexorable.” This presentation was also used by R.A. Torrey (1856-1928), and W.E. Biederwolf (1867-1939); however it was given its greatest acclaim by C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) in his BBC radio talks, as well as his lectures, and referred in a few of his books, and commonly entitled as “lunatic, liar, our Lord,” or more technically known as Lewis’s trilemma. Josh McDowell (Born 1939) has used it in his books “More Than a Carpenter,” and “New Evidence that Demands a Verdict.”

2 comments

Indeed it all boils down to the question Christ asked Peter in Matthew 16 “Who do you say that I am” ? Think one of the keys to being able to answer that question follows Peter’s answer when Jesus states . “.. flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father who is in heaven” .. As Paul states in 1 Cor 1:18 .. ” For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Yes a lunatic, liar or exactly who He say’s He is.
… And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Peace

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“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This online Bible study series addresses primary New Testament words in their original language - Koinè Greek - as opposed to mainly using the English translations; which is like adding color to a black-and-white picture.